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The Football (or Soccer, if you prefer) World Cup is almost upon us.
England have absolutely no chance so even the false hope that traditionally accompanies major tournaments won’t be around to spoil the enjoyment.
What makes this World Cup extra special is the fact that it’s taking place in Brazil – the spiritual home of the Beautiful Game.
The only previous occasion that Brazil hosted the tournament was in 1950, and it’s worth a brief look at what went on then, if only to provide the basis of the examples that follow.
Back in 1950, as now, money was a bit scarce.
Brazil agreed to host the tournament on condition that the format would be designed to maiximize the number of games played and therefore the gate revenue generated.
It is for this reason that the 1950 tournament is unique in World Cup history as the only tournament to be decided, not by a final, but by a round-robin “Final Pool”.
Then, as now, England travelled to Brazil. Unlike now there was a fair degree of confidence, not to say arrogance, about the prospects of the national team showing these foreigners how the game should really be played.
The Empire may have been slipping away, but it was still a widely held belief – in England at least – that God was an Englishman.
In the event, England managed to lose to an amatuer USA team 1-0 and then get sent packing by Spain. Continue reading →